Erling Haaland has ended one of football's most recognisable styling eras, trading his famous blonde man bun for a military-style buzzcut as Manchester City prepares for the new Premier League campaign. The striker announced the dramatic transformation on social media on 23 August 2026 with the caption "New season, new trim," signalling a symbolic fresh start for the club ahead of its opening fixture.
The 26-year-old's long hair had become a defining element of his public image throughout his time at Manchester City. According to reports on the change, Haaland explained his reasoning by saying, "This beautiful long hair, time to let it go... The season starts now so it's time to get a fresh start."
Before undergoing the cut, Haaland shared a lighthearted video showing previous hairstyles from his career alongside humorous mock-ups of how his new look might appear. The footage captured his initial nervousness as the barber began trimming, though his expression quickly shifted to satisfaction as the transformation took shape.
Haaland then made video calls to several figures to gather their reactions. Manchester City teammate Jack Grealish offered enthusiastic approval, telling him:
"You look about 10 years old. That is hilarious. I can't stop looking at the front of your hair. I love it."
Former City manager Pep Guardiola, now managing elsewhere, also endorsed the new style, saying:
"No way. You're lucky you have hair. I would love to have it. I love it."
Musician Noel Gallagher of Oasis provided similarly positive feedback, remarking:
"You look about 17 years old. It's good. Change is good."
The response from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the legendary Swedish striker known for his own iconic hairstyles, proved far less supportive. Before the haircut, Haaland had joked that Ibrahimovic had previously warned him never to cut his long hair, claiming:
"Zlatan told me, never cut your hair, because your strength is in you hair. I'm a bit nervous. I want a buzz cut, like in the military."When Ibrahimovic saw the finished result, he expressed mock dismay, telling Haaland:
"What did you do? You lost a bet or what? Block me and erase my number."
Following the reveal, Haaland posted a second social update stating "Short hair, don't care" and teased that a full transformation video would be available on YouTube. The buzzcut marks a significant departure from his appearance during his time at Borussia Dortmund, when he last wore short hair.
Haaland will debut his new look in Manchester City's Premier League opener against Bournemouth on 23 August 2026 at 14:00 BST. The striker has a strong track record in August fixtures, having scored 22 goals in 14 Premier League appearances during that month, according to coverage of the upcoming match, with an impressive average of one goal every 54 minutes in the month.
What to expect from the season opener
The match at the Etihad Stadium represents the beginning of Manchester City's title defence and will be the first opportunity for supporters to see Haaland's transformed appearance in competitive action. The timing of the haircut—announced just hours before the fixture—underscores the striker's intention to mark the new campaign with a fresh mindset and renewed focus on delivering goals for the club.
